Who runs lug.org.uk and how is the site built?

Updated

lug.org.uk is the UK Linux User Groups organisation, a technical services hub for UK groups that support permissive licences such as Free Software, Open Source Software, and Linux distributions. Its infrastructure is provided by BitFolk, and the site template is originally based on Jekyll Theme Simple Blog. If you run or are starting a group that fits that description, you can apply for free hosting of websites and email addresses, mailing lists, and DNS hosting.

What lug.org.uk is

The site describes itself as "The UK Linux User Groups organisation," dedicated to providing technical services for User, Support, or Interest Groups that are interested in, or advocate for, permissive licences in the United Kingdom. That covers Free Software, Open Source Software, and Linux distribution groups.

It is not a single local group. It is an umbrella service that supports many groups, and it also maintains a list of Linux User Groups and other associated groups in the UK.

Services offered to groups

According to the site, lug.org.uk can offer groups:

  • Free hosting of web sites
  • Free hosting of email addresses
  • Mailing lists
  • DNS hosting services

These are aimed at groups that align with the organisation's purpose. If your group fits, or you are thinking of starting one, the site points you to its application route.

How the site is built and run

Two pieces of infrastructure are named on the page:

Element Detail
Infrastructure provider BitFolk
Template origin Originally based on Jekyll Theme Simple Blog

Jekyll is a static site generator, and "Simple Blog" is a theme built for it, which tells you the public pages are generated as static content rather than served from a dynamic CMS. BitFolk provides the underlying hosting infrastructure.

Entry points on the site

The page lists several navigation destinations:

  • Server Admins — for those administering the infrastructure
  • Apply for lug.org.uk resources — the route for groups seeking hosting, email, mailing lists, or DNS
  • All LUGs — the list of Linux User Groups and associated groups in the UK
  • Link To Us — for sites wanting to link back
  • Status — service status information

What this means if you run a group

If you run a UK group centred on Linux, Free Software, or Open Source Software, the practical path is the application page: the organisation states it can provide website and email hosting, mailing lists, and DNS hosting at no charge to qualifying groups. If you are looking for a local group rather than services, the All LUGs page is the starting point.